The municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia has filed a formal complaint against the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) regarding the operation of seven migrant accommodation facilities within its tourism zone.
The issue was addressed during a meeting on Wednesday with representatives from the police, the Social Welfare Office and the IOM, according to a statement released by the municipality.
Local officials claim the presence of these facilities in a prime tourist area is causing “a chain of problems” with increased incidents of criminal behaviour being reported.
The municipality said that the region represents a key pillar of Cyprus’s tourism industry, attracting “nearly 50% of total tourist arrivals” and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP.
“The tourism and economic development of our area cannot be put at risk due to inadequate planning and wrong decisions,” municipal officials stated, describing the handling of the situation as “unacceptable”.
Paralimni-Deryneia has called on authorities to “take responsibility and proceed immediately with the removal of these facilities” from the tourist zone while demanding enhanced policing in the area.
The municipality pledged to continue seeking solutions that ensure “sustainable tourism development and social cohesion”.
